September 29th, 2026 Village Roadshow pursues $2.5 million civil claims against former executivesBy Nigel Benton Attractions/Finance/Tourism/Waterparks/Legal Village Roadshow Theme Parks is pursuing civil claims totalling more than $2.5 million against two former executives over alleged misuse of company funds and resources, following the internal investigation reported by Australasian Leisure Management in April. According to a National Business Network (NBN) report, the company is seeking about $859,000 from former Chief Financial Officer Dean Humphreys and more than $1.8 million from a second former executive, whose identity is protected by a court order. While the claims, filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland, remain allegations before the Court, NBN report indicates that the matter has not been referred to police. Nonetheless, the report says Villageâs court documents allege company funds were used for home renovations and luxury vehicles, while Sea World Resort facilities were used for private functions and catering. The company also alleges that an item associated with the 2018 film Aquaman was taken and sold. The second former executive has filed a defence, although its contents were not available to NBN. As reported by Kathleen Skene, Queensland Police told NBN it had no record of the matter being reported while Village did not say whether it intended to make a Police report, and has not publicly explained whether it has changed its financial procedures following the investigation. No criminal finding is alleged against either former executive. Responding to questions from NBN, a Village spokesperson advised âVillage takes these matters seriously, and since being made aware of the allegations, we have acted swiftly, appropriately and in line with our values.â The spokesperson added "this matter will be before the Court in October, and we have provided significant evidence in our affidavits to support our position.â Village subsequently said a court date had yet to be confirmed. The company declined to say whether it had made any changes to its financial procedures in the wake of the allegations, which are detailed in more than 3000 pages of documents filed with the Court. When Australasian Leisure Management reported the investigation in April, Village Chief Executive Clark Kirby had told staff that more than $1 million in inappropriate payments and benefits had been identified and that the amount was likely to rise. Village Roadshow was acquired by private equity firm BGH Capital in 2020. BGHâs investors include Australian Super as well as multiple pension funds in Canada, Singapore, and the United States. Image: Village Roadshow Theme Parks' Sea World from the air (top, credit: Shutterstock) and Warner Bros. Movie World's updated Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster which reopened in December last year (below). @themagician Village Roadshow Theme Parks has not filed a police report over $2.5m executive deceit allegationsVillage Roadshow is suing two former executives over alleged $2.5m embezzlement â but has not reported the matter to police, as other questions about the case go unanswered. Theme parks operator Village Roadshow has not filed a police report on the alleged embezzlement of more than $2.5m by two former executives, as its civil case against the men remains shrouded in secrecy. Melbourne-headquartered Village, which operates Sea World, MovieWorld and Wet n Wild, is suing its former long-serving chief financial officer Dean Humphreys for around $859,009. The company is also suing another former executive, whose name is protected by a court order, for more than $1.8m, including the return of an eye-watering redundancy payout. Village is one of southeast Queenslandâs larger non-government employers and was listed publicly on the ASX until a majority buyout by private equity firm BGH Capital in 2020. BGHâs investors include Australian Super as well as multiple pension funds in Canada, Singapore, and the United States. In a vast and detailed file lodged with the court, the former executives are accused of using company funds on luxury home renovations and to obtain luxury cars and of allegedly using Sea World Resort as their personal function centre and catering service. The unnamed former staff member, identified in the court documents as âABCâ, is also alleged to have stolen and sold a truck used in 2018 movie Aquaman. Queensland Police confirmed they had no record of the matter and Village declined to say whether they planned to file a report and hand over their reams of evidence. This masthead does not suggest Mr Humphreys or the other respondents have acted criminally. ABC has filed a defence in the matter, however News Corp has been unable to obtain the document as it is being held by the court. Submissions lodged with the court by Village Roadshow claim one Mr Humphreys repeatedly told investigators and fellow staff that co-CEO Clark Kirby knew ânearly everythingâ about what was happening and, in the case of the cars, had verbally authorised it. Kirby is not accused of wrongdoing and is not being sued. Village Roadshow co-CEO Clark Kirby. Picture: Glenn Hampson Village declined to say the May decision to appoint co-CEO, Peter West alongside Mr Kirby was related to the scandal, or explain how the serious alleged behaviour by fellow executives escaped his attention. ABCâs name was protected from publication after a successful application by Village Roadshowâs legal team. The names of more than 30 other individuals involved with the case â who are not accused of wrongdoing â remain visible and accessible in the public documents. The company declined to say whether it had made any changes to its financial procedures in the wake of the allegations, which are detailed in more than 3000 pages of documents filed with the Supreme Court of Queensland. Responding to News Corpâs questions about the case, a Village spokesman said it was returning to court âin Octoberâ. âVillage takes these matters seriously, and since being made aware of the allegations, we have acted swiftly, appropriately and in line with our values,â the spokesman said. âThis matter will be before the Court in October, and we have provided significant evidence in our affidavits to support our position.â A court date is not listed publicly and, in a follow-up response, Village could not provide one. âItâs fluid at the moment with the courts, once we get a confirmed date we will let you knowâ. kathleen.skene@news.com.au